Vienna Airport

I agree with Byron Scott's comment about chaos at the "A" gates. The worst part is that most of the long-haul flights depart at the same time (11:00am-12:00pm) so the entire terminal is a zoo. There is nowhere to sit not even room on the floor. The lines for the washroom are huge the cafe and restaurant are filled to capacity.

Recently transited Vienna while flying Austrian business class ORD to NCE and return. The flights to and from the US left from a gate with a jetway however the flights to and from Nice required bus rides. For bus rides it went pretty fast although on the return (flight from Nice was delayed) it was a long ride. The worst thing was the chaotic departure from the A-gates for flights to the US. You go through security right at the gate and after you go through security there is not enough space for all the passengers for a full wide-body plane to sit. It's really crowded and chaotic. There was also a confusing counter near the gates which said "US Document Check." I didn't think we had to stand in this line but there was no way to be sure. Fortunately a very helpful airport staffer saw us (I was traveling with my elderly uncle who uses a cane) and looked at our boarding pass and said we didn't need our documents checked (Austrain needs to clarify who needs to stop here on the sign). We then went to the really long security line and our helpful friend said my uncle was in a wheelchair we could go to the front of the line. So he grabbed a nearby wheelchair got us right to the security machines then got us right up to the jetway. Many thanks to this most helpful person. Until the new terminal opens I think wide-body flights leaving Vienna will be chaotic especially at times when lots of flights are leaving at the same time.

I found Vienna airport crowded and a bit chaotic. Signage is not well done or clear. The rail link from downtown Vienna is convenient but be aware that both the express train and local train only run every 30 minutes. But both arrive right in the lower level of the airport which is very well designed. Because of a very early flight to Amsterdam we stayed at the NH Hotel directly across the street from Terminal 1 which is an overpriced albeit very convenient dump.

With only 30 minutes to change flights in Vienna we left St.Gallen-Altenrhein 45 minutes late. While on final approach we should have been already in the air bound for Dubai. We were awaited on the ground at the aircraft's stairs and driven by a minivan to terminal A. Rushing through security we managed to get our flight. We expected to leave Dubai airport without luggage. But what a surprise there were our suitcases on the carousel.

Had a great experience in Vienna Airport. Very clean and convenient with plenty of transport to go to the city. Great duty-free shops and plenty of eateries. One of the best airports I have ever visited!

Used Vienna International Airport in transit coming from Bucharest and having a connection flight to Zurich yesterday. After the bus ride from plane to the passport control area which brings you to the ABC Terminals and Vienna Exit was chaotic - there were pretty loads of passengers then but the staff behind the glass manage to handle the situation friendly and efficient - after I got to the C part - it was more calm and there are loads of shops places to eat clean toilets. I would use VIE as a transit again. Also the size of the shops are good - not too big and not too small. Got to the gate and the security check was again friendly with no hurry at all and make you feel welcome.

I have travelled to Austria using this airport for most of my life and have been bemused at the reduction in quality over the past few years. It is clear that the new ultra-modern Skylink terminal will not come a minute too late. I have constantly had to use extremely packed smelly buses to get from the gate to the plane and vice-versa. The airport itself is not too bad and was designed well. Yet the toilets are not too good and you can get lost looking for your gate group in between shops.

I fully understand the critics of the passengers as I experienced the same downsides. The rise of long haul flights led to the shortage of space in the A-Concourse. Sometimes you don't even find the right queue as there is such a chaos. But Vienna Airport has been undertaking efforts to improve the services for the passenger. Before peak season 2009 the ulta-modern Terminal 3 (SkyLink) will be put into operation featuring 17 new airbridge parking positions. I suppose that at least Star Alliance Transfers and Longhaul Flight Boarding will be a breeze then. The security will be undertaken centrallly so no narrow boarding lounges anymore but probaby more waiting to be processed. The "at gate" security had the advantage to need less time to get to the gate.

I used this airport in transit from LHR to Sofia. At least for changing between non-Schengen flights I would rank it the worst airport for transit passengers I've ever used. Most of the flights used remote stands which due to the glacial pace at which passengers were let through the gates meant very long waits in high temperatures on packed buses with no airconditionning; once past security it was not even possible to buy a bottle of water; and - a first for me - on the return trip we were made to go through security twice before and after another long hot bus journey. Austrian Airlines business lounge for the non-Schengen gates is very small and was packed. I will never transit here again if I can possibly avoid it - which is a shame as the onboard service on Austrian was excellent.

Very average. The "A" area for international flights is a joke. There is no sitting room it is cramped smoky and busy. Staff were slow and did little to help. Busses to remote gates were okay but we had a very long drive. Security was fast but the holding area for long-haul flights (right before boarding after security) is far too small. All the passengers on our 767 had trouble just standing in the space. On the positive side the washrooms were clean and the gates were modern looking though it was difficult to see through so many cramped people. We ended up sitting on the floor. Connection times here are fast but be careful- We had 5 hours here and let me say those were the longest 5 hours of my life!